Thesis supervisor: Norbert Harmathy
Location of studies (in Hungarian): BME ÉPK Abbreviation of location of studies: BME
Description of the research topic:
Short description of the topic:
Computational technology has widespreaded in all fields of technology from the beginning of the 20th century. The advancement of technology beyond the basic design and engineering tasks gives us the opportunity to have a detailed insight into the operational processes of IT systems, buildings, vehicles, robotics etc. These processes determine the environmental impact and lifecycle of our technical creations and enable us to review the quality of our technical product even in the early design phase. The intertwining of artificial intelligence in many fields of engineering has laid the foundation for a radical transformation of architectural design and building energetics. The three basic objectives are environmental awareness, energy efficiency and human comfort. Smart buildings reflect these three basic objectives, which are capable of performing their tasks without human intervention.
The PhD research investigates contemporary building energy design to reduce the impact on the environment. Smart building solutions are based on studying the relationship between thermo-physical processes and mechanical systems in the building. The basic system connections are well elaborated, but with the help of innovative IT tools, it is possible to develop more accurate relationships in the system.
The inevitable part of the research is to perform an assessment survey in order to investigate the current environmentally conscious building stock in Hungary, as well as to perform a comparison and evaluation with international benchmark buildings. As a starting point, a thorough preparatory study is the in-depth study of smart buildings and automation of mechanical systems.
Expected research results will provide progress and state-of-the-art solutions, for the selected climatic conditions, in architecture, environmental awareness and energy efficiency, taking into account facade technology, building HVAC engineering, renewable energy production and smart control in complex system. Interrelationships among sub-areas of the main research topic are also complex, with a significant research task.
Significant bibliography:
- Rohde, Daniel; Andresen, Trond; Nord, Natasa, Analysis of an integrated heating and cooling system for a building complex with focus on long-term thermal storage, APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING, Volume: 145 Pages: 791-803 Published: DEC 25 2018
- Yingni Zhai, Yi Wang, Yanqiu Huang, Xiaojing Meng, A multi-objective optimization methodology for window design considering energy consumption, thermal environment and visual performance, Renewable Energy, Volume 134, Pages 1190-1199, April 2019
- Yongqiang Luo, et al.Experimental study and performance evaluation of a PV-blind embedded double skin façade in winter season, Energy, Volume 165, Part B, 15 Dec. 2018, Pages 326-342
- Jan Hensen and Roberto Lamberts, Building Performance Simulation for Design and Operation, 1st Edition, Taylor and Francis, 2011
- Shengwei Wang, Intelligent Buildings and Building Automation, New York: Spon Press, 2010.
- Clarke, J. A. Energy Simulation in Building Design: Second Edition.
Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001
- Chris Underwood, Francis Yik, Modelling Methods for Energy in Buildings, Wiley- Blackwell, 2004
Significant periodicals:
- Energy
- Thermal Science
- Building and Environment
- Energy and Buildings
- Energy Procedia
- Engineering Procedia
- Periodica Polytechnica – Civil Engineering
- Journal of Building Performance Simulation
- Acta Polytechnica Hungarica
- Applied Mechanics and Materials
In parallel with the Worlds gradual economic development, energy demand is also increasing. Powered by fossil technology, energy supplies cause unprecedented global environmental problems in transport, industry and built environment. The 20th century is characterized by developments based on fossil technologies and the 21th century is predicted to be a transition to environmentally conscious technologies. Most of our built environment does not meet energy efficiency requirements. The production, rational and efficient use of renewable energy in architecture is the key to environmental sustainability. According to the International Energy Agency, the construction industry accounts for over 40% of World energy consumption and nearly 1/3 of CO2 emissions. Optimizing the energy efficiency of buildings has become a prerequisite for the renovation and modernization of the construction industry in developed and developing countries.
Computational technology widespreaded in all technical fields at the beginning of the 21th century. The advancement of technology beyond the basic design and engineering tasks gives us the opportunity to have a detailed insight into the operational processes of IT systems, buildings, vehicles, robots etc. These processes determine the environmental impact and lifecycle of our technical creations and enable us to review the quality of our technical product even in the early design stages. The intertwining of artificial intelligence in many fields of engineering has laid the foundations for a radical transformation of architectural design and building performance. The three basic objectives are environmental awareness, energy efficiency and human comfort. Intelligent buildings reflect these three basic objectives, which are capable of performing their tasks without human intervention.
The area of artificial intelligence and energy efficiency is developing on a large scale and a number of sub-areas are present and waiting for investigation. The importance of the research topic lies in multi-disciplinarity and in the exploration of interactions among sub-areas of the system. Enhanced energy efficiency and environmental awareness studies require deep and comprehensive knowledge. The design of the building should be investigated at system level and the connections between the sub-areas should be explored.
The research topic investigates the possibilities and gives solutions to building energy design to reduce negative environmental impact. Intelligent building solutions are based on studying the relationship between processes and mechanical systems in the building. Basic system connections are well known, but with the help of innovative IT tools, it is possible to develop a more accurate relationship among sub-systems.
Integrated planning and energy is still an open question for researchers, which give the possibility to develop a number of hypotheses. On one hand, the research is focused on building energy and on the other hand on human comfort area, which will soon become a prerequisite in design and selection of mechanical system. Buildings operational performance should be tested for optimum energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining constant thermal microclimatic comfort conditions.
The investigation of system relationships in intelligent buildings and controls can be traced back to a dynamic simulation process. Knowledge and acquisition of numerical methods in the simulation process is a prerequisite for developing aforementioned innovative solutions. The applicable scientific methodology is multi-criterion optimization. The in-depth knowledge of BIM technology in preparing the model for numerical simulation is welcome.
The inevitable part of the research is the assessment and investigation of the current environmentally conscious building stock in Hungary, as well as comparison with international benchmark buildings. As a starting point, a thorough preparatory study is the in-depth study of intelligent buildings and systems. The scientific literature (Elsevier, Scopus, Web of Science, Taylor & Francis) provides a number of up to date manuscripts and publication opportunities for PhD students.
Expected results from the doctoral research will provide progress and advanced solutions for the chosen climate zone in the fields of architecture, environmental awareness and energy efficiency, taking into account facade technology, HVAC system, renewable energy production and intelligent control in a complex system. These areas are complex and have a significant research task in their own context.
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